Sing at the Movies: Moana Fans, From The Rock to Wicked

Dwayne Johnson certainly knows how to stir the pot, and this week was no exception as he appeared on the red carpet for Moana 2. While there, he sparked debate by suggesting that musical fans should embrace the freedom to sing along in movie theaters.

In an interview with the BBC, he encouraged, “Sing! You’ve paid your hard earned money for a ticket, you’re into a musical, get into it.”

Moana 2 features plenty of tunes, but Johnson’s comment landed right in the middle of a heated discussion on cinema etiquette, thanks especially to the premiere of Wicked: Part One. This box office sensation, inspired by the popular Broadway show, became an instant draw for musical enthusiasts and fans of its iconic green theme. As social media buzzed during preview night, reports surfaced of audiences breaking into song, drowning out performances from stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Reacting to the spontaneous sing-a-longs, cinema chains quickly asked audiences to keep quiet, while experts from the world of film were quick to criticize what they called “intolerable behavior.” Yet, Johnson holds a different view.

“If you love music,” he noted, “that’s the fun part.”

On the red carpet, Johnson’s flair for stirring things up is reminiscent of his past in WWE. His knack for speaking his mind is well-known. Just weeks ago, he raised eyebrows by claiming that Oppenheimer influenced his vision for his action holiday film, Red One—which didn’t fare well with critics. Earlier in the year, he ruffled feathers as he treaded carefully around political issues, choosing not to side in the upcoming 2024 election. During an April Fox News appearance, he remarked, “I’m not trusting of all politicians, but I do trust the American people. Whoever they vote for, that’s gonna be my president, and that’s who I’m going to support, 100 percent.” His past statements on Black Adam’s impact on the DC universe’s “hierarchy of power” exemplify his bold style.

With his recent comments about singing during movies, Johnson is again proving he can connect with a broad range of audience members—an approach that some might deem counter to traditional art. The Rock is doing his thing, and that’s part of his appeal.

Despite the uproar, Universal Pictures is already taking action. They announced interactive showings of Wicked in nearly 1,000 North American theaters starting December 25. If musical fans can keep their enthusiasm in check for just another month, this holiday season might see a resolution everyone can enjoy.